take a step back, and evaluate
It occured to me that people, not all, but many, never really learn. And people (again, not all) don't really care much about other people. They profess to be believers and followers of this religion, do things that show the world how good they are, but when tapped to help someone a lot closer to home, they hem and haw and more often than not, turn away. And when news that it's too late to do anything, they come in droves to say, "Oh that's sad. Is there anything I can do?"
I would say, "Where were you ten minutes ago?"
We always say, "I wish I could've done more," but then again, we're too often caught up in our own world to worry about someone else. Yes, you have problems and I have problems but as it perhaps occurred to you that your problems are not that big compared to other peoples? Yeah, you worry that you can't buy the new Havaianas pair coming out. You worry that your money won't last til the end of the week for your outing with the barkada. But somewhere, someone is worrying about what he'll eat because he totally doesn't have money. Somewhere, someone is dying because she doesn't have money to buy medicine and be treated.
I can't claim not to be self absorbed, because yes, I am to a degree. But at least I don't go around spouting Bible qoutes and flaunting my riches while someone I know is asking for help and I didn't extend one.
In his column, Ramon Tulfo said, "Most Pinoys consider doing civic duty a burden."
As a commuter, I've noticed that many people are busybodies, wanting to know what's going on if a commotion happens. People offer advice, opinions, feedback, commentaries on the events, but no one ever thinks of helping. Is it because we don't want to be involved in an complications that might arise? Or perhaps we're in a hurry to be somewhere? Which is weird because hey, if you can bother to gawk, maybe you can bother to help right? And note that when something happens, no one bothers to help but surprise! We have many eyewitnesses!
My worries are small: a fast diminishing budget that won't last til next payday, a dead end job, a sometimes lonely single life. But I am blessed with friends who are willing to lend a few bucks, colleagues who make work easier and happier, friends who make singlehood a blessing. Perhaps if we share such blessings --- doesn't have to be money or material things (though believe me, it helps a lot) --- maybe the world would truly be a better place. Sure we didn't do anything earth shattering or Noble prize worthy, but we made one person happier.
And to me, that makes all the difference.
I would say, "Where were you ten minutes ago?"
We always say, "I wish I could've done more," but then again, we're too often caught up in our own world to worry about someone else. Yes, you have problems and I have problems but as it perhaps occurred to you that your problems are not that big compared to other peoples? Yeah, you worry that you can't buy the new Havaianas pair coming out. You worry that your money won't last til the end of the week for your outing with the barkada. But somewhere, someone is worrying about what he'll eat because he totally doesn't have money. Somewhere, someone is dying because she doesn't have money to buy medicine and be treated.
I can't claim not to be self absorbed, because yes, I am to a degree. But at least I don't go around spouting Bible qoutes and flaunting my riches while someone I know is asking for help and I didn't extend one.
In his column, Ramon Tulfo said, "Most Pinoys consider doing civic duty a burden."
As a commuter, I've noticed that many people are busybodies, wanting to know what's going on if a commotion happens. People offer advice, opinions, feedback, commentaries on the events, but no one ever thinks of helping. Is it because we don't want to be involved in an complications that might arise? Or perhaps we're in a hurry to be somewhere? Which is weird because hey, if you can bother to gawk, maybe you can bother to help right? And note that when something happens, no one bothers to help but surprise! We have many eyewitnesses!
My worries are small: a fast diminishing budget that won't last til next payday, a dead end job, a sometimes lonely single life. But I am blessed with friends who are willing to lend a few bucks, colleagues who make work easier and happier, friends who make singlehood a blessing. Perhaps if we share such blessings --- doesn't have to be money or material things (though believe me, it helps a lot) --- maybe the world would truly be a better place. Sure we didn't do anything earth shattering or Noble prize worthy, but we made one person happier.
And to me, that makes all the difference.